Page 97 of Say You Remember Me
I raised my hand in return, lingering for one last moment. And it wasn’t until she turned and disappeared back into the hospital that I finally climbed into the car and started the engine.
Two weeks,I told myself as I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road back to Eden Falls.I just have to make it through two weeks.
35
IAN
“So you thinkI should address everything with the board?” I asked my dad, leaning forward in the chair across from his desk in his home office that afternoon.
“I think it’s a good idea,” he said, sitting back as his thoughtful blue eyes locked on mine. “Personal lives usually stay personal, but since this happened at a work conference and involves your assistant…it complicates things.”
His home office matched his polished persona—mahogany bookshelves lined with awards and thick, leather-bound books, the faint scent of aged wood and success hanging in the air. It was a powerful space, perfect for such a powerful man.
But his tone wasn’t the commanding one he used in boardrooms. Right now, he wasn’t just the CEO. He was my dad, and he was genuinely trying to guide me through this mess.
“So, transparency?” I sighed, dragging a hand down my face. “You really think that’s the way to go?”
“With the board, yes.” He nodded. “It’s better to face these things head-on. Avoiding it will only raise more questions.”
“And HR?” I asked, the question heavier than I wanted it to sound. Just the thought of hashing this out with Human Resources made my stomach twist.
“You’ll need to address that, too,” he said in a steady but firm tone. “The company has a responsibility to ensure there was no undue pressure or coercion, given your position. We need to confirm Maddie feels safe and that this arrangement wasn’t something she felt she couldn’t refuse.”
A wave of unease hit me, sharp and immediate. I pressed my hands to my thighs, hoping it didn’t show on my face. “I think everything was fine there,” I said quickly, my voice tight. “At least, I never got the feeling that she felt like she couldn’t say no.”
“I believe you.” My dad’s gaze softened, and he leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk. “But it’s important that we follow protocol, Ian. It’s not just about protecting the company—it’s about protecting Maddie.”
“Of course,” I said, nodding. “I-I’ll make sure she gets a heads-up about all of that.”
“Good.” He stood, patting my shoulder as he walked around the desk. “You’re handling this well. And don’t beat yourself up too much. You’re not the first Hastings to stir up a little controversy.” A half-smile tugged at his lips. “I mean, if I was able to make CEO after everything with Carter and his mom came out, you should be fine.” He winked. “And if they do have a problem with this, thankfully, I’m not retiring anytime soon. So you’ve got time to rebuild trust with any board members who might be clutching their pearls.”
“Okay, good.” I chuckled. “Thanks for the pep talk.”
“Anytime. Now let’s go eat before your mom starts sending out a search party.”
We headed into the dining room where the smell of roast and mashed potatoes greeted us. The long table was already buzzing with conversation; my siblings—Carter, Nash, and Cambrielle—were seated with their significant others, Ava, Kiara, and Mack. My mom, ever the picture of poise, sat at the head of the table, smiling warmly as we entered.
“Finally,” Nash teased. “Thought Dad was giving you a semiannual review in there.”
“Something like that,” I said, taking my seat.
Dinner was lively, the conversation shifting from work to Carter and Ava’s upcoming wedding.
“I can’t believe it’s just over a month away now,” Ava said, her eyes glittering with excitement. “It seems like we’ve been planning it forever.”
“And you only turned into Bridezilla twice,” Carter teased, putting a hand on his fiancée’s leg. “How did I get so lucky?”
Ava made a face at him and everyone chuckled.
“So, Ian,” Mack said as he smirked from across the table, leaning back in his chair, “with all the buzz about your recent engagement, does that mean you’ll actually have a plus-one for the wedding?”
Laughter rippled around the table, and I shook my head, grinning. “I’ll have to get back to you on my plus-one status. Seems like the news isn’t always accurate these days.”
“Oh, don’t I know it,” Cambrielle said, rolling her eyes. “I went to lunch wearing a baby doll dress a few weeks ago, and by dinner, I had hundreds of DMs from people asking if I was pregnant.”
“That’s…fun.” Ava grimaced.
“Yeah, usually I’d be mad but…” Cambrielle’s smile widened. “…they actually weren’t wrong this time so I couldn’t be too offended.”
